Technical Abstract
As the complexity of our customer’s industrial Ethernet networks continues to increase, so does the challenge to diagnose problems in these complex networks. Yet the skill set of the typical automation maintenance person is not increasing at a comparable rate. This leaves a void in the resources required to keep these systems running. Our customers need help with understanding how to utilize the diagnostics capabilities of the products and how to interpret the underlying meaning of this data.
This paper will discuss some of the more common physical layer and data link layer problems in EtherNet/IP™ networks and trace from symptoms to most likely root causes. This paper discusses the underlying meaning of some of the more esoteric diagnostic counters and how they can be used for practical troubleshooting. Profiles of network problems will be presented to help zero in on a root cause. This paper focuses on two key diagnostic data accesses: EtherNet/IP diagnostics objects, and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). A brief description of the underlying technologies will be given but it is assumed that the reader has some familiarity with concepts involved. While not intended to be all inclusive of every potential network problem, the concepts and techniques presented here provide a basis for how diagnostic data can be interpreted and used.
Paper and presentation from the 2014 ODVA Industry Conference & 16th Annual Meeting
Merrill Harriman, Schneider Electric